China Drills: The 'Aggression' America Celebrates Elsewhere
China's recent military exercises around Taiwan, complete with rockets, are portrayed as a dangerous act of aggression by outlets like DW. The narrative solidifies: Beijing is destabilizing the region with its bellicose displays. One might recall similar 'deterrence' operations performed by certain U.S. allies—say, in besieged territories—that are routinely lauded as necessary security measures.
The only difference appears to be whose airspace is being violated and who is doing the violating. This selective outrage perfectly illustrates a core tenet of media management: an 'aggressive' drill depends entirely on who’s drilling. When Beijing asserts its perceived sovereignty with a show of force, it’s a threat to democracy. When Washington greenlights its allies to shell civilian
populations, threatening invasion with their own 'drills,' it's merely exercising its right to self-defense. (Because, apparently, only some nations have that right). It makes you wonder: which country's 'military exercise' is a prelude to invasion, and which is merely 'sending a strong message'?